THE sun shone brightly on the hundreds of people who turned out for the recent ‘Run for a Life’, staged in support of organ donation and to raise funds for its charity organiser, the Irish Kidney Association.
The family fun run was held at Corkagh Park in Clondalkin, on Saturday, May 28. Over 500 participants took part in the annual event with some accompanied by family and friends to honour their organ donors while others, including some who are awaiting transplants, were there to help raise awareness about the vital importance of organ donation.
Taking part and demonstrating solidarity in support of organ donation was ambassador for Organ Donor Awareness 2016, RTÉ’s Vivienne Traynor along with her extended family
Vivienne’s two youngest children Oscar (4) and Alison (9) were also there to support their relative Michaela Delany (16) from Clondalkin, who is waiting for a second kidney transplant, having undergone her first when she was just two-years-old.
Michaela, who will be sitting her Junior Cert exams, was joined by her parents Dermot (Vivienne’s first cousin) and Liz Delany who have taken part in the fun run event for the past eight years.
Dermot has scooped first place in the 10km section in three previous Run for a Life events.
This year Dermot walked the course due to a sports injury. Moved by Michaela’s plight, a large group of Dermot’s friends who are members of Tallaght Athletics Club ran in the event. Also running in the event was Vivienne’s nephew Martin Traynor whom she donated a kidney to prior to him undergoing another transplant a few years later from a deceased donor.
Vivienne said: “I’ve been a long-time supporter of the Run for a Life event as part of the Irish Kidney Association’s efforts to raise awareness of the need for organ donation.
“However, this year’s event is even more significant as it emerges that another family member, Michaela, now needs a vital, life changing kidney transplant. We are taking part as one big extended family to help the Irish Kidney Association to continue getting the message out there about the importance of organ donation.”
The IKA’s Run for a Life Race Organiser, Colin White, added: “The key to the success of or-gan donation for transplantation is to ensure that people discuss their wishes with their families. Run for a Life offers a platform to encourage that conversation. In offering 2.5km, 5km and 10km distances we are opening the event very much to families and our hope is that as well as having a great day out that they will be inspired to have a discussion about organ donation.
“The event could not happen without the support of the sponsor, Astellas Pharma Co Ltd, and all of our wonderful volunteers as well as the people who join us to take part in our annual Run for a Life #HaveTheChat.”
Walking in the event for the second year in a row was 27-year-old Janice Moran from Drimnagh, who was diagnosed with kidney failure 16 months ago and has been undergoing 10 hourly nightly dialysis treatment since then.
She was supported by family and friends at the fun run.
For organ donor cards Freetext DONOR to 50050 or visit website www.ika.ie/card
It is also possible to download an organ donor card on smartphones by searching for ‘Donor ECard’ at the iphone store or Google Play Store.
Your wishes to be an organ donor can also be included on the new format driving licence which is represented by Code 115.
